DEMAL Schools, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria recently hosted a unique cultural event, tagged “Culture Meets Youths,” in partnership with CIKDAS (Center for Indigenous Knowledge, Development and Sustainability) and ASPIRA NIGERIA.
The event, held as part of the 2025 Children’s Day celebrations, aimed to revive cultural values and ideologies among young people.
in his welcome address, Mr. Adebayo Olugbenga the Principal of Demal Schools, who was represented by Mr. Temitope Olatunji, a staff member of Demal Schools and specialist in Cultural and Civic Education, emphasised the importance of being an “Omoluabi”, a virtuous individual with good manners and behaviour.
“A virtuous person exhibits a high level of moral goodness and integrity in our society ” Olatunji enthused.
Students actively participated in sharing stories of their forefathers, traditional foods, music, and other aspects of their cultural heritage.
The Project Director of CIKDAS, Jumoke Owoola, expressed gratitude to Demal School for the opportunity to promote African positive values among youths. She attributed many of Nigeria’s problems to the erosion of cultural values and emphasized the need for consistent interactions with youths to instill positive values.
Jumoke Owoola also praised ASPIRA NIGERIA for promoting cultural values that go beyond rhetoric, demonstrating tangible commitment to empowering young people with essential life skills and values.
“Knowing fully well that our cultural value systems are eroded thus giving rooms for many anomalies in our society today, we believe at CIKDAS that one of the best ways to nip it in the bud is by getting our youths involved and informed very early on in life ” Owoola opined.
The event provided a platform for students to engage with cultural matters, assess their knowledge, and develop a deeper understanding of the importance of cultural values.
ASPIRA NIGERIA’s efforts in supporting the event with their products, contributed to its success. Students were engaged in interactive sessions, including questions and answers on cultural matters, which helped to assess their level of knowledge and understanding of the topic of the day .
Through this partnership, Demal School, CIKDAS, and ASPIRA NIGERIA aim to empower young people with positive cultural values, promoting a better future for Nigeria. The event concluded with a renewed commitment to continue promoting cultural education and values among young people, and to work together to build a brighter future for the nation.
The collaboration between Demal School, CIKDAS, and ASPIRA NIGERIA is a testament to the power of partnerships in promoting cultural values and empowering young people. By working together, they can create a lasting impact and help shape the next generation of leaders.
” Yes, collaborations, networking and carrying the youths along with our projects will add positively to the society,” Jumoke Owoola concluded as she basked in the euphoria of a successful outing.
